Lead Guide Part II 2003

16 Pages·2003·0.06 MB·English

4. LEAD POISONING & AFTERTIME
Upon exposure, human body accumulates lead mainly in mineral tissues, with a lifetime
of several decades. Under stress, such as malnutrition, demineralization occurs resulting in the
mobilization of bone-sequestered lead. This stress might be sufficient, even in the absence of
external lead exposure, to poison individuals. In the Aftertime, the lead burden coming from
bone demineralization of undernourished survivors will add to the volcanic lead intakes. The
lead blood level of the general population is already so close to the toxic threshold that even
well prepared communities could be affected.
During the troubled times ahead, the level of preparation of individuals, families and
communities will vary greatly. The ideal situation, concerning the lead poisoning problem, is to
get, shortly after the pole shift, a shelter (to minimize exposure to lead containing volcanic
ashes), a steady food supply from an indoor permaculture system (to avoid lead contamination
of food), means to get lead free water (e.g.: distillation), some kind of lead assay and an
effective treatment for poisoned individuals (e.g.: chelation therapy). In the worse case, where
none of this is available, simple measures (such as water filtration and dust mask) can be used to
lower lead exposure. Even in lead contaminated soil, appropriate growing practices and a proper
selection of crop can minimize plant incorporation of lead. Similarly, for exposed animals, an
appropriate selection of species and body parts used for food can also greatly lower lead
ingestion.
Besides the level of preparation, there are also many less controllable parameters that will
influences the likelihood for survivors to be poisoned by lead:
?? Individual
susceptibility.
Due
to
genetic
factors,
some
individuals
will
be
significantly less prone to lead poisoning than other. A wide range of response to lead
exposure can be expected, this will only be revealed upon lead exposure.
?? The exposition of the living location to volcanic ashes is an important point to take
into account for survival. For the people who have the freedom, willingness and
opportunity to change location, many advices can be found on the safe location
section of ZetaTalk®1. The prevalent wind with respect to volcanoes location is
another important factor to consider.
?? The chemical composition of predominant volcano ashes might also influence
considerably the survivors. Some volcanoes might be more deadly than other as far
as lead chemicals they spew is concerned.
To help to deal with the lead poisoning problem in the Aftertime, and in addition to
physically prepare, it is also important to develop a positive attitude in:
?? Gaining knowledge. An analysis of the present knowledge related to lead can be used
as a basis to propose solutions and help to deal with the lead poisoning problem in the
context of the Aftertime.
?? Adapting to new conditions. On many aspects related to lead poisoning, such as
avoidance of poisoning, recognition of poisoning and lead poisoning treatment, a
trial-error approach will be necessary. Implementing solutions will not only require
knowledge, but also adaptability and flexibility.
The measures proposed below are for most of them, common sense. Different alternatives
to treat poisoned individuals and to prepare lead free water are described, but the most
important message to remember is that avoidance of exposure to lead is the most important
prevention!

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4. 1. Prevention from poisoning
Avoiding lead from entering the body would prevent poisoning. Getting lead depleted
water through distillation is tedious but not difficult. Getting food only from a closed production
system is far more difficult and not really realistic. Therefore, means to reduce lead
incorporation in the body will have to be used. Even when lead has reached the gastro intestinal
tract, an appropriate diet and food selection, the addition of essential mineral and oral chelators
are several ways to lower lead bio-availability. An appropriate housing and good hygiene
practices can also help in lessening lead exposure.
Since they are particularly sensible to lead poisoning, children, pregnant women and
susceptible individuals should be especially protected from lead exposure. In addition,
childhood brain impairment caused by lead might not be reversed by drug treatment2.

4. 1. 1. How to avoid lead from entering the body and to lower lead bio-
availability

In the Aftertime, the main probable routes of lead entry will be ingestion and inhalation.
Below, some information for a better preparation and measures to minimize lead contamination
are described.

?? Atmospheric lead and lead dusts

Between the main two routes of lead incorporation in the body, inhalation is the most
dangerous. Dust mask can be used to reduce exposure to atmospheric volcanic dust particles.
They are available in hardware stores. It is certainly wise to stock some. They are cheap now;
they might become valuable in the post pole shift era.

?? Lead in water

During the coming cataclysms and the Aftertime, volcano ashes containing lead will
contaminate surface water. Water will certainly be a major source of lead poisoning. In drinking
water, the real danger comes from the insidious dissolved lead, which is not removed by
filtration and can be present in crystal clear water. The method of chose for lead free water
preparation is distillation. Distillation is not difficult; it requires a heating source to boil water.
Means to prepare lead free water are described in ‘4. 4. How to get lead free water’.
Not only should drinking water be distilled, but also water, which is used to wash hands
and food and water that is used in food production systems.
If lead free water cannot be found or produced, although this will not remove dissolved
lead, filtration or decantation will remove dust-containing lead. If non-purified water has to be
used, the less acid water the better, since acidity dissolves more lead. Mineral rich water,
containing calcium, magnesium is also safer. It is probably safer to avoid surface water. A lead
test kit is certainly very valuable here to determine which water source is the safest.

?? Lead in food

Ingestion is the other route of lead incorporation; since lead is rather quickly dissolved in
acid conditions, avoid lead particles from reaching the stomach. Lead may also contaminate
food. Root vegetables take up soil lead and atmospheric lead may fall onto leafy vegetable.
Even in heavily contaminated soils the roots do not absorb much lead.
Plants incorporate lead differently and it is hard to predict the amount of lead absorbed by
a plant species only based on soil concentration. Several factors influence lead incorporation by
the roots: in a soil maintained at a pH level higher than 6.5, lead is relatively unavailable to
plants. Since organic compounds bind lead, the addition of organic matter to the soil decreases
lead incorporation by vegetables. Even at soil levels above 500 ppm (500 micrograms per
gram), most of the risk is from lead contaminated soil or dust deposits on the plants rather than
from uptake of lead by the plant3. When grown on lead contaminated soil, fruiting crops

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(tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, peas, beans, corn, strawberries, apples, etc) incorporate
little lead and should be preferred to root crops (such as carrots and radishes). Leafy vegetables
(such as lettuce and spinach) should be avoided4. Leafy vegetable (such as lettuce leaves can
store up to seven times more lead than beet roots. Lead that is deposited on leaves does not
enter the plants. Vegetables should be carefully washed before consumption. Since water
removes only partially lead deposited on plants, it is preferable to add vinegar (1%) or soap
(0.5%) to cleaning water. It is important to remove any traces of dirt or dust on the plant parts
that are eaten. Indeed, lead concentration in dust or soil is probably much higher than in the
plant. It is also preferable to grow vegetables where edible plant parts are protected by leaves
such as cabbage or corn5. Among the main dietary source of lead, grain comes first, since the
fibrous seed coat retains mineral, whole grain potentially contains even higher amount of lead.
The second alimentary source of lead comes from vegetables. Meats come third. Plants tend to
have higher lead levels than animal foodError! Bookmark not defined..
Animals have physiological mechanisms to get rid of lead, but they also incorporate and
concentrate lead in some organs, mainly in bones. When eating animals suspected to be
poisoned by lead, if possible, in addition to bones, the following organs should probably be
avoided: testes, kidney, bone marrow, brain and liver6. However, liver is a good source for
many vitamins and should only be rejected when absolutely necessary. If one can assume that
some animal species are more resistant than others to lead exposure because they excrete lead
more efficiently, poultry should preferably be consumed. Pigs, goats and rabbits come next.
Cattle, sheep, horses, should be the last candidates. In addition young animals contains higher
percentage of lead than adult animals. Marine organisms concentrate lead by a factor of 100 to
300 times when compared to seawater. However, lead in seawater is very diluted and the
concentration of lead in seafood remains lowError! Bookmark not defined..
Any food in contact with lead particles produced by volcanoes should be carefully
cleaned. This should already remove an important source of potential poisoning (this will not
remove lead which has been incorporated in food).

4. 1. 2. How to lower lead bio-availability
A good diet can help to minimize lead absorption. Undernourishment favors lead
absorption. There are several ways by which appropriate nutrition can help in preventing lead
incorporation in the body:

?? Appropriate diet

A fat rich diet seems to increase lead absorption (since fat rich food will hardly be
available after the pole shift, this observation is on the good side). However, low ironError!

Bookmark not defined.,7, calcium, magnesium8 or vitamin C (ascorbic acid) increases lead blood level
and consequently lead poisoning. Food like spinach is rich in iron 9. It does not require strong
light to grow spinach. Dietary ascorbic acid seems to protect from elevated lead blood level10
(this is well documented in animals, more speculative in human). Dietary vitamin C is probably
a good way to control lead toxicity11. People who consumed alcohol on a daily basis as well as
smokers seem to have a higher blood lead concentration12. The consumption of tofu, which has
a high calcium content, is associated with low blood lead levelsError! Bookmark not defined..
In an attempt to identify the most appropriate vegetable diet, the ‘Dr. Duke's
Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases’13 were searched using several parameters. These
vegetables were selected based on their chemical composition in compounds (ascorbic acid,
calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and lead), which appear relevant in preventing lead poisoning
or in treating poisoned patients. The ranking of these vegetables, starting with the one, which
appears the most beneficial, is shown in table II.

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Table II. Selection of the most appropriate vegetable diet to prevent lead poisoning

Common name
Latin name
Part
Ascorbic acid
(ppm)
Calcium
(ppm)
Magnesium

(ppm)
Iron
(ppm)
Zinc
(ppm)

Lead
(ppm)

Green Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
Fruit
2,389
18,000
18,000
1,050
150
10.5

Lettuce
Lactuca sativa L.
Leaf
3,000
19,140
8,700
176
974
6
Spinach
Spinacia oleracea L.
Plant
7,595
15,700
11,000
384
185
3
Paprika
Capsicum annuum L.
Fruit
20,982
1,956
2,340
286
77
2
Endive
Cichorium endivia L.
Leaf
9,302
10,080
2,400
360
146
5
Radish
Raphanus sativus L.
Root
6,216
8,570
3,570
189
72

Cauliflower
Brassica oleracea
var. botrytis L.
‘Flower’
9,300
4,040
2,250
122
97

Brussel-Sprout
Brassica oleracea
var. gemmifera
Leaf
6,069
3,177
1,642
136
157

Carrot
Daucus carota L.
Root
775
5,710
1,980
300
79
2
Beet
Beta vulgaris
Root
868
4,200
4,200
165
70
4

?? Alimentary chelator

Alimentary chelator compounds (such as EDTA) work by sequestering lead and
consequently avoid assimilation in the body. Since 95% of EDTA taken orally is not absorbed,
per os administration of CaNa2 EDTA is used when lead is present in the gastro-intestinal
tract14. One might then suppose that the addition of small amounts of EDTA to contaminated
food could sufficiently decrease lead absorption to prevent poisoning. Oxalic acid and citric
acid (found in significant amount in rhubarb and citrus, respectively) are also possible
alimentary chelators but their effectiveness in preventing lead assimilation is not documented.
They might even increase the bio-availability of lead and the acidity of these compounds might
increase the dissolution of lead in food. Succimer and amino acids containing sulfur (cysteine
and methionine, ...) are used as additive to oral medicine for preventing chronic lead
poisoning15,16.

?? Essential metal ions and vitamins supplementation

Food enriched in essential metal ions such as iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc, which
can compete with lead for binding to target molecules, can reduce lead assimilation. Calcium
seems to determine how much lead is absorbed from the diet. Calcium and lead are similar and
compete for binding sites in the intestines17.
The processes used to remove lead from water, such as water distillation, will also
eliminate essential metal ions. Therefore, when metal ions depleted water is constantly drunk, it
might be important to concomitantly use supplementation of essential metal ions (Ca2+, Mg2+
and Zn2+) in order to keep the body healthy and not too sensible to environmental lead
contamination. In addition, when food consumption decreases, intake of vitamins and minerals
can no longer be sufficient, which makes the body vulnerable to lead contamination.
Malnutrition and diarrhea are important risk factors of lead poisoning. Currently, in the general
population, the intake of magnesium, calcium and zinc is usually too low. One can imagine that
this problem is will get worse during the Aftertime, unless specific attention is paid to it.
The first measure to prevent contamination is avoidance of exposure to lead, the second
one is to make sure that sufficient amounts of essential minerals are ingested to minimize lead
assimilation. Mineral supplements and vitamins should be stocked and natural sources should
be identified. One important parameter to take into account in selecting mineral supplements is
the balance between the different essential metal ions. An excess of one mineral can reduce the
assimilation of the other ones. When used during an extended period of time, a well-balanced

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multimineral supplement is preferable. Oral administration is the most common way of mineral
supplement administration.
The following information on essential minerals and on vitamins18, 19 can help to
identify appropriate sources:
Calcium is found in dairy products. Assimilation of organic calcium supplements such
as carbonate, citrate, malate, gluconate or lactate is most efficient. Some supplements contain
vitamin D, which is required for calcium assimilation. Calcium intake of the population is often
not sufficient. Children, teenagers and pregnant women need a higher intake of calcium. Not
more than 2000 mg of calcium (total) should be taken per day because it could affect zinc,
magnesium and iron assimilation. It is usually taken in supplement of 400 to 500 mg. In
addition to dairy products, mineral water, citrus fruits, cabbage, sardines with bones, broccoli
and almonds are good sources for calcium. Oysters shelves and bone powder are sometimes
used as mineral supplements but in that case, one has to make sure that they do not contain lead.
Shellfish concentrate minerals in the shells and will probably concentrate more lead in the
Aftertime. Shells accumulated before industrial times (and also before the pole shift) could be
an appropriate source of calcium supplementError! Bookmark not defined..
Magnesium supplements are often found in aspartate, carbonate, gluconate, oxyde or
sulfate form, but the citrate form is better absorbed. 200 to 600 mg of magnesium supplements
can be taken per day. The total magnesium ingested should not be more than about 700 mg per
day. Magnesium supplementation often induces diarrhea. Natural sources of magnesium are dry
fruits, green vegetables, mineral water and wild rice.
Zinc supplements, taken in excess can interfere with cupper assimilation. Not more than
10-15 mg/day of zinc supplement should be taken. Zinc is found in meat, fish, poultry, eggs,
seafood (oysters), cheese, and dry beans. The chemical form of zinc does not influence much its
bioavailaility but zinc is better absorbed when coming from meat rather than from plants. The
addition of zinc to food decrease diarrhea and boost the immune system.
Iron supplements (Fe2+) in sulfate, fumarate or gluconate forms are often associated to
several vitamins and minerals. Usually iron supplements provide 25 mg per day. An excess of
iron intake can be toxic. Alimentary iron comes from meat, fish, seafood (oysters) and green
vegetable.
Vitamin C in blood is inversely correlated to lead level. Supplements of 200 to 1000 mg
per day are usually taken. Ascorbic acid is found in citrus fruits, kiwi, cabbage, broccoli, green
leafy vegetables, paprika, cassis and strawberries.
Vitamin D is required for calcium assimilation. Vitamin D is synthesized by the skin
when exposed to the sun. In the Aftertime, with a low sunlight and conditions that favor mineral
loss, getting sufficient vitamin D will certainly be a matter of concern. Upon vitamin D
deficiency, less calcium is absorbed and bone losses increase. In the Aftertime conditions, this
would result in an increase of lead assimilation and bone-sequestered lead mobilization.
Vitamin C is found in fat fish, eggs and liver.

4. 1. 3. How to minimize lead exposure

?? In food production systems

The best way to survive under adverse environmental conditions is to enclose oneself in a
closed autonomous system where a shelter reduces exposure to lead containing ashes and where
food is obtained from indoor gardening. Even in such systems, care should be taken to lower
lead exposure. Constant attention has to be paid to prevent lead from reaching the food
production chain. One should be aware that poisoned people, especially when treated with
chelators would excrete lead in urine and feces, which in entering the recycling loop would in
turn contaminate the food production systems. Similarly to the use of EDTA as a treatment for
lead poisoned patient, EDTA can also be used to lower metal ions contain of nutritive solutions

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when an accidental contamination occurs. The plants or microorganisms cultivated in a
permaculture process can also be used to monitor the lead contamination level of the system
(see 4. 3. Lead Assays in post pole shift era). They also offer the opportunity to remove
contaminating lead or metal ions from the system (see 4. 4. How to get lead free water).

?? In housing

Although in the Aftertime, hygiene might be ‘the least of anyone’s thoughts’20, lead
exposure can be reduced using simple cleanliness measures to avoid carrying volcanic dust in
Aftertime housing and bringing lead containing ashes to the mouth through dirty hands.
Ingestion of lead containing dust is currently a major source of contamination for children;
therefore one might suspect that the problem will be worse in the Aftertime. The only way to
protect from this source of contamination is to keep the housing and children as clean as
possible.

4. 2. Treatment when contaminated
When prevention is not enough and lead poisoning has occurred, treatment is necessary.
In the following paragraphs these questions are addressed in the context of the post pole shift
era: once lead poisoning is suspected or recognized, when should a treatment be initiated? What
kind of treatment will be available to treat poisoned individuals? Who should be treated first
when only finite resources are available? These are tough questions and difficult choices will
have to be made. The following paragraphs are intended to help in defining priorities.

4. 2. 1. When should a treatment be initiated
Because it might be the only way to confirm lead poisoning when assays are not
available, one should learn to recognize the symptoms of lead poisoning21,Error! Bookmark not defined..
Visual disturbances, gastro-intestinal failures and nervous system disorders reported in
ZetaTalk®Error! Bookmark not defined., are symptoms which are commonly described. However, the
symptoms are not specific (most persons with lead toxicity are not overtly symptomatic 22).
Children behavior may be the only indication of lead poisoning. Lead toxic children are often
reported as being ‘difficult to manage’23.
Depending on resources, treatment should be initiated as soon as recognized. If
resources for treatment are scarce, it might only be possible to treat patients with life threatening
symptoms or acute poisoning. Life threatening symptoms suggesting encephalopathy are
obtundation, headache and persistent vomiting. Whether lead exposure is acute (happens
quickly) or chronic (poisoning occurs over weeks or months) the symptoms are slightly
different.
The symptoms of lead poisoning are summarized in Table III.

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Table III: Lead toxicity symptoms (from ‘Case Studies in Environmental Medicine’22)

Mild Toxicity

Myaglia or parasthesia

Mild fatigue

Irritability

Lethargy

Occasional abdominal discomfort
Moderate Toxicity

Arthalgia

General fatigue

Difficult concentration

Muscular exhaustibility

Tremor

Headache

Diffuse abdominal pain

Vomiting

Weight loss

Constipation
Severe Toxicity

Paresis or paralysis

Encephalopathy. May abruptly lead to seizures, changes in consciousness,
coma and death

Lead line (blue-black) on gingival tissue

Colic (intermittent, severe abdominal cramps)

Some symptoms are more specific and more easily recognizable: sweetish metallic taste,
burning mouth, severe thirst, unsteady walking style, wrist drop (see picture in referenceError!

Bookmark not defined.) and foot dropError! Bookmark not defined., “lead-line” on gum margin (see picture in
referenceError! Bookmark not defined.). It is very unusual to see a lead line in a child. This purplish line
on the gums is rarely seen today, but if present, usually indicates severe and prolonged lead
poisoning22.

4. 2. 2. How poisoned individuals could be treated
There are several alternatives to treat lead poisoned patients. In the addition to the
effective chelation therapy, essential metal ion supplementation therapy seems to work quite
well. Homeopathy, heat depuration and plant therapy, which might be more easily implemented
in the pole shift era, can also provide solutions to the problem. The body has the ability to get
rid of lead and consequently the first treatment to consider is the avoidance of any additional
lead incorporation. The treatments described below can speed up the excretion of lead.

?? Chelation Therapy

Chelators whose utilization necessitates the hospitalization of the patient, which require
intravenous administration or present severe side effects should be avoided. The only chelators
(among those which are commonly used at the moment) that fulfill these requirements are
succimer and dimerval. Clearly, succimer has the safest spectrum of side effects. Chemet is the
Sanofi’s brand name for succimer24,25. The drug produces no harmful side effects but is
expensive about $ 400 for a bottle of 100 pills. As often suspected for oral chelators, succimer
doesn’t seem to increase gastro-intestinal lead absorption during treatment26. Since a complete
lead free environment will be difficult to attain in the Aftertime, this property of succimer,

8

together with its oral administration and its minor side effects make of this drug, the best
candidate for lead poisoning treatment in the post pole shift era. Chronic lead intoxication is
usually treated with oral chelators
An alternative is to use EDTA orally, even if most of it will not reach the blood stream.
EDTA is cheaper than succimer and easily available. If EDTA has to be used, take the
monocalcium disodium form: CaNa2 EDTA. It is also possible to purchase oral chelation
formulas, containing EDTA, cystein and vitamins, which are intended, in lowering heavy
metals in the body, to decrease the incidence of heart disease. One example is Life Glow Plus
($150 plus shipping for 4 bottles)27.
A potential problem sometimes reported with chelation agents (particularly when taken
orally) is that they can greatly enhance the absorption of lead from gastro-intestinal tract.
Therefore, special care should be taken to absolutely avoid lead in food and water of poisoned
individuals during treatment. Or treatment should be given on an empty stomach in order to
avoid chelation of dietary metals. However, since 95% of EDTA taken orally is not absorbed,
per os administration of CaNa2 EDTA is used when lead is present in the gastro-intestinal tract.
Since ‘The chemical industry will be very hard hit’28 during the coming cataclysms, the
synthesis of the therapeutic chelator molecules which are presently used for lead poisoning
treatment will most probably not be possible, unless a community has specifically prepared for
this, in acquiring the necessary knowledge, in implementing the synthesis protocols and in
assuring adequate sources for the required starting chemicals.

?? Supplementation therapy with essential metal ions

Toxic metal elimination by mineral substitution is described in Troubled Times29. On an
animal model, oral treatment with magnesium has better effects than intravenous administration
of EDTA30. If this were also observed for humans, mineral supplementation therapy would be
an easy way to treat poisoned individuals. This therapy is cheaper, and easier to implement than
chelation therapy. Therefore, in addition to chelators, it might be wise to stock mineral
supplements containing Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+. Mineral supplementation can be used not only to
prevent lead assimilation (as described in 4. 1. 2. How to lower lead bio-availability, ‘Essential
metal ions and vitamins supplementation’) but also to treat poisoned individuals.

?? Heat Depuration
This description of heat depuration can be found on the following web site
reference31:‘Like chelation therapy, these treatments seek to rid the body of chemicals such as
lead, copper, iron, and other toxins. Patients are placed in a sauna heated to as high as 150
degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature which is thought to mobilize the chemicals from deep stores
within the body. The treatments are often administered in conjunction with chelation therapy
and other forms of detoxification. For example, patients may spend a full day undergoing heat
treatments, exercise sessions, a massage, and nutritional therapy counseling.
Each treatment lasts from 15 to 40 minutes, and 3 or 4 may be given during the course of a day.
Advocates say that an average of 20 eight-hour sessions are needed to completely clear the
body of toxins.’
The effectiveness of heat depuration in lowering lead blood level or in increasing lead
excretion is not documented.

?? Plants

If plant therapy using wild plants is envisioned in the Aftertime, this requires learning to
recognize the local medicinal plants in the vicinity of the survival site. Due to the effect of the
shift and cataclysms on vegetation, it is hard to know which of these plants will be present in
one’s environment after the pole shift. Another alternative is to grow the appropriate medicinal
plants. Good books on medicinal plants32 should be included with the survival items, which are

9

prepared by the people who want to survive to the pole shift. Databases can also be searched for
medicinal plant content in calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, vitamin C, oxalic acid, citric acid, ...
Rhubarb (Rheum Rhabarbarum L. & Rheum Rhaponticum L.) is rich in oxalic acid, which is a
carboxylic chelator that would bind Pb2+ with an affinity from 10 to 100 higher than Ca2+ or
Mg2+. However, when compared to EDTA, the affinity of oxalic acid for Pb2+ is very small.
Oxalic acid is also present in other common medicinal plants, like oxalis acetosella L., Rumex
Acetosa L. and spinach. Citric acid, another carboxylic acid, which has been used in the past as
a therapeutic chelator of lead is found in lemons and oranges. Citric acid has an affinity for Pb2+
similar to oxalic acid but a lower selectivity for this metal ion versus Ca2+ or Mg2+ (Table I).
When using these plants, care should be taken to absolutely avoid the presence of lead in
the gastro-intestinal tract, because it would probably increase the bio-availability of lead. In
addition, when grown in the presence of lead these plants would also probably concentrate this
metal ion.
Another plant that might be used to treat lead poisoning, is Equisetum arvense L. which
is rich in minerals and so could work as a supplementation therapy.
It has been suggested, probably due to the high sulfur content that garlic has a role in
treating lead poisoning.

?? Homeopathy

Many occupational medical doctors became convinced of the effectiveness of
homeopathy because of the successes they observed with this kind of therapy on metal ions
poisoning. Special preparations intended to treat lead poisoning can be found.

4. 2. 3. Who should be treated
Ideally, everybody presenting symptoms of lead poisoning should be treated, especially
when life is threatened. However, when resources for treatment are limited, priorities have to be
established.

?? Children first

Children developing nervous system makes them much more susceptible than adults to
lead poisoning, particularly under six. The most acute and severe exposure can generate
permanent neurological effects and even death. ‘In addition, children tend to develop
permanent developmental and neurological problems when exposed chronically to lead,
whereas many of the symptoms experienced by adults are reversed when exposure is ceased’33.
Childhood brain impairment caused by lead might not be reversed by drug treatment. The
efficiency of lead absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract is greater in children than in
adultsError! Bookmark not defined. (adult humans absorb 10–15% of ingested lead; children absorb up to 50%
of ingested lead). Since lead can cross the placenta barrier, unborn children can be poisoned
through their mothers. Lead also appears in breast milk, and lead that has been accumulating in
bones and stayed dormant for years can cause poisoning at times of increased bone resorption
such as pregnancy and lactationError! Bookmark not defined.. Exposure to lead is more dangerous for
young and unborn children. Since their neurobehavioral development is impaired even with low
level of lead, which often results in a reduced IQ, children (particularly the youngest ones)
should especially be protected from lead poisoning (safest food and water should be reserved
for them). They should be treated when necessary and as soon as possible.

?? Next, susceptible individuals…

Poisoned adults with strong symptoms should be nourished with safest food (and safest
water). So protect the most genetically susceptible ones (once this has been determined).

10

4. 3. Lead Assays in post pole shift era
The ability to determine lead concentration in water, food, environment, patient blood
and/or urine would certainly help to survive in the Aftertime. Unfortunately, the most common
(and reliable) methods to measure lead concentration, based on spectroscopic properties of lead,
necessitate expensive equipments. For instance, atomic absorption requires a special
spectrophotometer with a lead lamp and an acetylene supply. These lamps are fragile and have a
finite lifetime. The protection, use and maintenance of such equipment is not very realistic, for
most, during and after the coming cataclysms. The newly developed methods based on the
production of a fluorescent or luminescent signal in the presence of lead also depend on delicate
detection equipments. Immunodiagnostic tests based on the presence of biomarkers in human
patients, which are still under development, appear more robust, but they do not measure lead
but the body response to lead poisoning. They cannot be used for lead determination in food,
water and the environment. Moreover their efficacy in real conditions has still to be proven. So
lead assay in the Aftertime will definitively be a problem since it is already, to some extent, a
problem now. Research on lead poisoning, prevention and treatment would be more advanced if
a robust and ‘easy to use’ test had had been available.
So what kind of test could be used in the Aftertime to measure the presence and
concentration of such an insidious poison in patients, food, water or in the environment?
?? Colorimetric tests. These tests can detect the presence of lead but cannot be used to
determine lead concentration. Since their detection limit of these tests is too high, a
negative result on a water sample will not mean that this water is safe. However, these
tests do not necessitate special equipments, they are robust and are easily available.
Since these tests are available in hardware stores and provided that the shelf live is long
enough, it might be wise to get such tests and stock them for the Aftertime. It is also
possible to stock the chemicals that are used in this assay, but this would require some
research and testing.
?? To monitor the lead level in a hydroponic food production, a biotest using a sensor such
as riceError!
Bookmark
not
defined., or a bacterial or whole cell biosensor could be
implemented.
?? The observation of the symptoms will probably be the only mean to monitor the lead
poisoning status in patients

4. 4. How to get lead free water
Conventional methods for removing metals from wastewaters include chemical
precipitation, carbon adsorption, chemical oxidation or reduction, ion exchange, dialysis,
electrodialysis filtration, electrochemical treatment, reverse osmosis and evaporationError!

Bookmark not defined.. Among these processes, the followings are applicable to lead: evaporation,
reverse osmosis, ion exchange. Removal of lead from water using living material (in a process
known as biosorption) is well documented and is particularly well suited to an hydroponic food
production system. In biochemical research laboratories, where heavy metal free water is a
necessity, water is often prepared by distillation, membrane filtration, ion exchange and by
‘affinity’ chromatography. Most of the time, a combination of these processes is used to prepare
‘lab grade’ heavy metals free water. Often the ultimate process is an affinity chromatography
step where water, already to a large extent depleted of metal ions, is passed through a column
filled with a gel to which a chelator is bound.
One difficulty with these different methods is the assessment of their efficiency in the
Aftertime. This is related to the lack of a sensitive and robust lead assay and to the very low
toxic threshold of lead in water. The loss of efficiency of such systems as chelation on column,
ion exchange and reverse osmosis which occurs over time, will be very difficult to assess. For

11

the methods requiring a regeneration cycle, it will be difficult to determine when it is necessary
to run this step.
When metal ions depleted water is constantly used, it might be important to
concomitantly use supplementation of essential metal ions (Ca2+, Mg2+ and Zn2+) in order not to
make the body too sensible to environmental lead contamination.
Since water purity is a concern of many, numerous solutions and equipments have been
developed. Many solutions to purify water are described in the Internet, as in the following
reference34.

?? Distillation
Processes to get lead free water are well documented in Troubled Times. The simplest
way to deplete water from metal ions is distillation, provided that energy to heat up water is
available (‘Distillation process’Error!
Bookmark
not
defined. and ‘Distilling drinking water’Error!

Bookmark not defined.). A system as simple as a kettle connected to a pipe (where water can
condense) can make up a good distiller.
If distillation happens to be insufficiently effective in removing lead from water
(possibly due to a high lead content in the starting aqueous material), it is always possible to run
a second step of distillation to get doubled distilled water.

?? Chelation columns (‘affinity’ chromatography)
A metal chelation column could be used in the Aftertime to deplete water from lead. A
metal chelator is bound to a solid phase (gel), which is used to fill a column. Water can be
passed through such a column to remove lead. However, this type of chelating gel is expensive
and requires chemicals for regeneration (acid or EDTA). It is a very specialized product, which
might not be easy to purchase.

?? Ion exchange
Ion exchange works in a similar way as chelation on column but instead of a chelating
group, a negatively charged molecule is used to capture positively charged lead ions. When
compared to chelation on column, it is less specific and less effective, and less expensive. It
usually requires salts for regeneration.

?? Filtration (reverse osmosis)
This method to remove lead from water is described in Troubled Times35. Reverse
osmosis requires water devoid of insoluble particles to minimize membrane clogging. It also
requires enough pressure (pump) to run the system. Much more complicated to run and
maintained than distillation or chelation on column.

?? Biosorption
Biosorption is an alternative way to remove lead from water. ‘Alternative metal removal
and/or recovery methods based on metal sequestering properties of certain natural materials of
biological origin. Certain type of microbial biomass can retain relatively high quantities of
metal by “passive’ sorption and/or complexation. This is commonly known as biosorptionError!

Bookmark not defined.’. The principle of the biosorption process is basically a solid-liquid contact.
Microorganisms are used to remove heavy metals from water. The microorganisms bind the
metals on the surface of their membrane and/or incorporate them in their cytoplasm. Metal
sequestration by microbial (bacteria, fungi and algae) cell wall works like an ion exchanger but
with a greater capacity. Biosorption consist in passing a heavy metal contaminated solution
through a living or not living microorganism biomass, to favor contact, in such devices as batch
stirred tanks or continuous flow columns. Running water through coffee grounds is an example
of biosorption using dead biological material36.

12

Lead and cadmium are enriched in marine microorganisms by factors of 1.7 105 and 1.0
105 respectively, relative to the aqueous solute concentrations of these elements in ocean waters.
Immobilization and bioaccumulation of lead by bacteria may result in transfer of this metal
through the food chain37. Therefore, such a biomass can also be used to deplete water from lead.
The use of different sources of biological material to sequester lead is documented:
?? Bacteria: Micrococcuc luteus and Azotobacter sp. Cells capable of immobilizing 4.9 and
3.1 102 mg of lead per gram of dry cell weight, respectively, have been described38. Lead
binding by cell envelope of a lead resistant strain of Aeromonas was observed39.
?? Fungi: The filamenteous fungi Rhizopus arrhizus has been shown to sequester a
relatively high quantity of lead (0.5 mmol of lead per gram of cells) at pH 440.
?? Algae: ‘There is a high potential for certain algal cells to take up lead quickly and
completely from the medium when the metal is supplied at subtoxic levels’41.
?? Plants: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) shoots silica-immobilized have been use to remove and
recover several metal ions (including lead) from aqueous solutions in a processed called
phytofiltration technology42.
The advantage of biosorption as a tool to remove lead from water in the Aftertime
context is that no chemicals are required, it can be used for large-scale water purification and
since it uses a similar technology and know-how, it can be used concomitantly with hydroponic
food production systems. Biosorbents have a low affinity for calcium and magnesium and
therefore would deplete drinking water from these essential metal ions to a lesser extend (when
compared to other lead depletion systems).

4. 5. Lead and indoor food production
Indoor food production systems, where safe water is recycled, is a good way to avoid
lead from reaching the food chain. However, in a heavily contaminated environment, there is
always the possibility of lead contamination. In such a system, where the entire food production
loop is done in a closed system, a possible entering route for lead is human feces and urine of
contaminated individuals. A biosorption compartment in a recycling food production system
can be used as a barrier to avoid contamination of the whole system. A biosensor compartment
can also be placed before the biosorption compartment. If lead concentration in the system
reaches the biosensor threshold, a physical (phenotypic) change of the biosensor would indicate
lead contamination. In that case, the biosorption compartment would concentrate and prevent
the main food production from being contaminated. The removal of the biomass of the
biosorption compartment would eliminate lead from the food production-recycling loop (figure
2). As long as the biosensor does not detect lead, the biosensor and biosorption plants or
microorganisms can be used a secondary food source. Instead of a biosorbent, ‘chemical’
chelators such as EDTA can be used to chetate lead and save food production, but in that case,
once the EDTA supply has been consumed it will be very difficult to replace it in the Aftertime.
To get such a food production system working is not easy, but the advantage it can
provide goes beyond food supply. Once the know-how to grow plants and microorganisms in a
closed system has been gained, the production of chelators, for lead poisoning therapy, by
microorganisms can be envisionned (as well as antibiotics). Citric acid is commercially
produced from the fungus Aspergillus niger where oxalic acid is a byproduct. Both acids
(chelators) are separated based on the solubility of their calcium salts (calcium oxalate is
precipitated at low temperature whereas calcium citrate is precipitated at much higher
temperature, around 100°C).

13

Figure 2: Recycling hydroponic food production system where a biosensor (1) is introduced to monitor the
lead level. Following the biosensor, a biosorption step is added (2). Its function is to concentrate lead and
protect the food production system. As long as the biosensor does not detect lead, the biosensor and
biosorption plants or microorganisms can be used as a secondary food source. If lead enters the system, it
would be detected by the biosensor and it would be retained by the biosorption compartment, avoiding the
contamination of the main food production system. In that case, the plant or microorganism used in the
biosorption compartment would have to be discarded and replaced.

(2)
Biosorption
Microorganisms or
plants to remove
lead from the
nutritive solution

(1)
Biosensor
Plants or
microorganisms
that respond to
lead poisoning

Main Food
Production
Algae, Fishes,
Plants, …

14

5. CONCLUSIONS
ZetaTalk® describes that during the coming pole shift, volcanoes will spew ashes
containing lead, exposing survivors to this toxic element. Human species has survived many
pole shifts and will also survive the pending one. Therefore, the lead poisoning problem that
accompanies the pole shift is not fatal for human species; it is only one of the parameters
(among many others) that have to be taken into account for survival.
Compared to the previous pole shifts, humankind has major advantages in dealing with
the lead poisoning problem. First, we know, thanks to ZetaTalk®, that humankind will face
such a problem and consequently one can prepare, learn to minimize lead exposure, and seek
solutions. Secondly, there are now, effective treatments to remove lead from the body of
poisoned individuals. But there are also drawbacks: due to the pollution that industrial age has
generated, significant levels of lead are found in the population. Lead is a cumulative poison
and its level in blood of human population is such that any additional exposure could be
sufficient to exceed the toxic threshold. Moreover, under stress and malnutrition, lead is
mobilized from the bones and can poison individuals even in the absence of further lead
exposure.
The post pole shift era will require adaptation and even in well-prepared communities,
the acquisition of knowledge will facilitate the adaptation to unexpected conditions. It will be
possible to deal with the problem of lead poisoning in the post PS era, provided that sufficient
knowledge on lead and lead poisoning is gained and that common sense measures are taken.
These measures are not necessary high-tech measures; simple actions can be taken to avoid lead
poisoning and even to treat contaminated individuals. However, lead is insidious. It has no
special taste or smell, it is not directly observable and the assays to determine whether or not
someone is contaminated will not be available to most of the survivors. Moreover, it will be
difficult to treat severely poisoned individuals (especially when intravenous injection of
chelator is required). Since undernourishment favors lead absorption, it is crucial to prevent lead
from reaching the gastro-intestinal tract in ingesting lead free water and food; inhalation as a
source of lead poisoning will probably be of secondary importance. Most of the measures used
to prevent lead contamination and also to treat lead poisoning are probably also effective against
other toxic metals such as mercury.
Human body can, to some extend, get rid of lead by itself, provided that the exposure to
lead is suppressed. Were human continuously exposed to lead, human species would have
selected resistant individuals. However, since the exposure to lead decreases after the pole
shifts, the selection pressure of lead also decreases, leading to the current situation with
individuals in the population having a wide variety of lead poisoning susceptibility.
Among the measures that can be taken to deal with lead poisoning, some are very easy
to implement and do not necessitate much preparation, other are only applicable where an
hydroponic food production or permaculture setting has been established. Concretely, the
different measures which can be taken to deal with lead poisoning in the Aftertime can be listed
starting with the ones which require the least preparation to finish with the ones which are more
complicated to implement, as advised in the ‘What Mindset’43 page of ZetaTalk: ‘You think of
the minimum that you will need, not the optimal and how to arrange for it. When you've got the
minimum, start adding to that, but only when the minimum is addressed. This is where humans
fail the most in planning for the shift, and life afterwards. They think of their life now, and come
down from that. They should start with life with nothing, but bugs and sucking dirty water up
from the ground with their hands. No clothes. No heat. Nothing. Then add what is needed most,
and first. Heat, shelter, then food, bugs if need be or weeds, then how to clean your food so you
can stop that tummy ache and constant pooping, then how to grow or gather food more

15

effectively. Start from that, adding what is needed to clean water and eat food nature will
provide, live bugs aplenty, and go from there, and you will have a better plan.’
1. No preparation. Even for individuals who do not have the opportunity, the
willingness or the time to physically prepare to survive in the Aftertime, gaining
knowledge on lead and lead poisoning is a first step. Preparation is only made on an
intellectual basis, nonetheless, it is certainly reassuring to gain knowledge on this
subject and it certainly prepares to ‘move when necessary’. Going from level of
preparation1 to level 2 is easy when enough knowledge and emotional preparation has
been achieved.
2. Low level of preparation. This level of preparation is essentially gathering materials:
?? Dust masks.
?? Lead assays.
?? Therapeutic chelators.
?? Seeds of plants that tend not to accumulate lead when grown outside.
?? Water distillation system.
?? Vitamins and mineral additives.
3. High level of preparation. Going form step 2 to 3 is not difficult in the context of a
community where resources and expertise are shared and where food...